Yet as UW (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten), No. 22 in The Associated Press poll, No. 23 in the USA Today poll and No. 24 in the BCS standings, prepares to face host Iowa (5-3, 2-2) this week, tailback James White is quietly in the midst of an outstanding senior season. He has contributed as a runner, receiver and blocker.

"People don't realize how much he does for us," running backs coach Thomas Hammock said, noting White's work as a blocker and receiver. "He is a grimy player. He gets down and dirty and does the little things that will help the offense be more successful."

White has rushed 108 times for 672 yards with averages of 6.2 yards per carry and 96 rushing yards per game. He is a perfect complement to the explosive Gordon (9.5 yards per carry, 144.6 yards per game).

However, White's work as a receiver has become an integral part of UW's offense.

Abbrederis leads UW in receptions in league play (27 receptions for 481 yards and two touchdowns) and overall (43-752-5).

White is No. 2 in league play (13-123-1) and overall (21-189-1).

He entered his senior season with 34 catches for 370 yards and one touchdown.

More and more, quarterback Joel Stave has looked for White on check-downs.

"You don't want to be greedy," Stave said. "Just take what the defense gives you. If they're going to drop everyone deep into coverage ... you've just got to make sure you're taking what they give you.

"James is someone I have a ton of confidence dumping it down to. He is the kind of guy when the ball is in his hands he is going to make a play."

White was the recipient of two check-downs, for 24 yards, on UW's second touchdown drive in its 35-6 victory over Northwestern. The second catch gave UW a first-and-goal at the 1, and White, who rushed for 101 yards against the Wildcats, capped the drive with a touchdown run on the next play.

White had a critical reception on UW's first touchdown drive in the second half of the Badgers' 56-32 victory at Illinois.

UW's lead had been trimmed to 28-17 at halftime, but the Badgers opened the second half by driving 75 yards in nine plays.

White turned a short pass in the left flat into a 30-yard gain to the Illinois 16 by eluding a safety just past the line of scrimmage. He capped that drive with a 3-yard touchdown reception.

"I just leaked out to the flat," White said of the 30-yard gain against the Illini. "My blitz responsibility didn't come. I caught it, had one-on-one in the open field and got vertical.

"Jordan Fredrick had a great block down the field and got me a few extra yards."

"A lot of things that James does consistently snap after snap may go unnoticed to just a casual observer of football, if you will," he said. "His ability to chip off numerous times this year and help an offensive lineman who may be having an issue in a pass protection situation.

"His ability to be involved in the check-downs in the throw game. That's a big, big part of this offense now. He's done a great job."

Andersen has seen White scan the line to look for a blitz and adjust on the fly when a defender blitzes from the far side of the formation.

"James is able to get over and block him," Andersen said. "He does that stuff very well.

"I thought he ran very good in this last game. I thought he was nifty. I thought he was quick. He was physical. He had a very good game for us against Illinois."

It wasn't the first such game this season and it likely won't be the last.